Special prison for 2010 red shirt protesters may be abolished

[webfact]

Special Prison For 2010 Red Protesters May Be Abolished

By Khaosod English


Red activist Thida Thavornseth visits Redshirts prisoners at Laksi Prison, 17 January 2012

BANGKOK — Thailand’s military regime may close down a special jail for Redshirt protesters who have been charged for their alleged role in Thailand's 2010 political violence, prison sources say.

Twenty-two inmates, 20 men and 2 women, are currently being held at Laksi Temporary Prison in northern Bangkok where they await appeal court trials on charges related to the violent clashes between Redshirt protesters and security forces in April - May 2010. More than 90 people were killed in the violence, the majority of whom were civilians.

The prisoners have been charged with organising riots, arson attacks, bomb attacks, and using military-grade weapons on security forces during the clashes.

Sources at Laksi Prison say they have been informed by the Department of Corrections that authorities are considering closing down the special prison, which currently only houses the accused Redshirt protesters, because the facility is costing the state "millions of baht" per year.

The inmates will be sent to various prisons based on their regional residences, the sources claim.

Witthaya Suriyawong, director of the Department of Corrections, would not directly comment on the reports, but said there are many priorities for the Department other than the plan to abolish the Laksi Prison.

The now-toppled government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, which is allied to the Redshirts, moved the inmates from general prisons to the special facility in Laksi in December 2011 to acknowledge their status as "political prisoners."

At Laksi Prison, the inmates do not share cells with convicts of other crimes and the prison rules are considerably relaxed. For instance, visiting Redshirt activists have been allowed to cook food for the inmates and meet with the prisoners.

The Yingluck administration was criticised by many progressives for its refusal to also move prisoners convicted or accused of lese majeste (insult of the monarchy) to Laski Prison, despite their status as "prisoners of conscience." Under Thai laws, criticism of the Royal family is a criminal offense that can be punished by up to 15 years in prison.

In November 2013, the Yingluck government attempted to pass an bill that would grant amnesty to the Redshirt prisoners as well as Ms. Yingluck's brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who lives in self-imposed exile and faces charges of corruption in Thailand.

Widespread opposition to the amnesty bill ignited a campaign to oust Ms. Yingluck and led to a six-month protest campaign against her government. Ms. Yingluck was eventually removed in a court ruling in early May and the rest of her government was toppled in a military coup on 22 May.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1405589016


-- Khaosod English 2014-07-17

[Cuchulainn]

Let them rot!!

[seajae]

shows just how far yl went to make sure the reds stayed loyal to her & her brothers plans, gave them a nice comfortable jail just for reds so they couldnt get too upset. These mongrels need to be put in the general jail population so they can be treated like all the other criminals, I am sure the general populace will appreciate some fresh red meat

[AleG]

The only political thing about those prisoners is that they were used as a political tool by PTP to suit their agenda, they were, in a way, a sort of perverse type of hostage that they could use to pass their "Amnesty" Bill.

[djjamie]

"acknowledge their status as "political prisoners."???

If organizing riots, arson attacks, bomb attacks, and using military-grade weapons on security forces is the definition of political prisoners then Iraq and Afghanistan is full of "political prisoners"

For anyone to acknowledge violent terrorists as political prisoners says more about the government that said it than the prisoners.

This is why reform is needed.

[Robby nz]

Thailand’s military regime may close down a special jail for Redshirt protesters who have been charged for their alleged role in Thailand's 2010 political violence, prison sources say.

There is no alleged about it they were tried in a court of law and found guilty of criminal acts.

The only political thing about it is that they were egged on (and no doubt paid) to do these things by their brave leaders from the safety of their stages and ultimately by the offshore instigator and funder of the riots.

In November 2013, the Yingluck government attempted to pass an bill that would grant amnesty to the Redshirt prisoners as well as Ms. Yingluck's brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who lives in self-imposed exile and faces charges of corruption in Thailand.

Hay Khaosod you forgot to mention that the amnesty in its amended form would have also given amnesty to Yingluck herself as well as any wrongs her entire party had committed along with forgiving over 25 thousand cases of corruption that were under investigation.

It would also have deprived Abhisit and Suthep of the opportunity to be able to clear their names of all the charges against them.

And Thaksin doesn't face "charges of corruption" should he ever come back. he faces criminal charges.

[lostinisaan]

I hope my cousin doesn't have to be in the same cell with Yingluck.

[espinoza]

Thailand should be very ashamed of their prisons. It`s in the same category as slavery. Thailand has a lot of slavery, already shown for the world on TV. The next on TV will be about the Thai prisons, I just tell you so you can prepare your defence, Thai government.

[jaidam]

The only political thing about those prisoners is that they were used as a political tool by PTP to suit their agenda, they were, in a way, a sort of perverse type of hostage that they could use to pass their "Amnesty" Bill.

Not sure about that. I don't think the red pawns were going to be covered by the Thaksin amnesty bill. It only pardoned corruption and fraud on an industrial scale, those involved in mass murder of suspected pot smokers, transport secretaries with houses full to the roof of banknotes, and other "high end" crimes that Thaksin and his band of brothers dubbed the amart rouge carried out. The common or garden red shirt that was brainwashed to believe Thaksin is the second coming and committed petulant violent actions in the belief it would bring him back to rule were to be left to rot.

And how do we know this? Look at the details of the pre-coup Thaksin in Singapore negotiation with Prayuth. No mention of the red pawns, only guarantees for the red elite. Suckers.

[Mr Yim]

It will be nice to see these politically motivated criminals rotting in prison with Suthep, the mad monk, the pop corn gunman etc. Oh wait, I forgot, the Yellow's get off scott free. No need for an amnesty bill for the likes of them, the judiciary will see that they are never convicted. But of course the military junta are completely impartial - at least that's what Thailands great saviour keeps on telling everyone.

Have a good weekend guys.

Edited July 18, 2014 by Mr Yim

[craigt3365]

An inappropriate post has been removed from view.

[Cuchulainn]

I hope my cousin doesn't have to be in the same cell with Yingluck.

I wish I were.

[Cuchulainn]

It will be nice to see these politically motivated criminals rotting in prison with Suthep, the mad monk, the pop corn gunman etc. Oh wait, I forgot, the Yellow's get off scott free. No need for an amnesty bill for the likes of them, the judiciary will see that they are never convicted. But of course the military junta are completely impartial - at least that's what Thailands great saviour keeps on telling everyone.

Have a good weekend guys.

Th'e yellow's didnt ge't of'f sco't fre'e.

Get an life education.

[givenall]

Special Prison For 2010 Red Protesters May Be Abolished

By Khaosod English

Red activist Thida Thavornseth visits Redshirts prisoners at Laksi Prison, 17 January 2012

BANGKOK — Thailand’s military regime may close down a special jail for Redshirt protesters who have been charged for their alleged role in Thailand's 2010 political violence, prison sources say.

Twenty-two inmates, 20 men and 2 women, are currently being held at Laksi Temporary Prison in northern Bangkok where they await appeal court trials on charges related to the violent clashes between Redshirt protesters and security forces in April - May 2010. More than 90 people were killed in the violence, the majority of whom were civilians.

The prisoners have been charged with organising riots, arson attacks, bomb attacks, and using military-grade weapons on security forces during the clashes.

Sources at Laksi Prison say they have been informed by the Department of Corrections that authorities are considering closing down the special prison, which currently only houses the accused Redshirt protesters, because the facility is costing the state "millions of baht" per year.

The inmates will be sent to various prisons based on their regional residences, the sources claim.

Witthaya Suriyawong, director of the Department of Corrections, would not directly comment on the reports, but said there are many priorities for the Department other than the plan to abolish the Laksi Prison.

The now-toppled government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, which is allied to the Redshirts, moved the inmates from general prisons to the special facility in Laksi in December 2011 to acknowledge their status as "political prisoners."

At Laksi Prison, the inmates do not share cells with convicts of other crimes and the prison rules are considerably relaxed. For instance, visiting Redshirt activists have been allowed to cook food for the inmates and meet with the prisoners.

The Yingluck administration was criticised by many progressives for its refusal to also move prisoners convicted or accused of lese majeste (insult of the monarchy) to Laski Prison, despite their status as "prisoners of conscience." Under Thai laws, criticism of the Royal family is a criminal offense that can be punished by up to 15 years in prison.

In November 2013, the Yingluck government attempted to pass an bill that would grant amnesty to the Redshirt prisoners as well as Ms. Yingluck's brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who lives in self-imposed exile and faces charges of corruption in Thailand.

Widespread opposition to the amnesty bill ignited a campaign to oust Ms. Yingluck and led to a six-month protest campaign against her government. Ms. Yingluck was eventually removed in a court ruling in early May and the rest of her government was toppled in a military coup on 22 May.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1405589016

-- Khaosod English 2014-07-17

Why do they get special treatment. And why it may close. Just close the prison immediately

Sent from my C1904 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[robblok]

I guess they really hate Taksin now.. I mean if it was not for his pardon to be included they would be free. The democrats and others had agreed upon the amnesty.. only when Taksin decided he needed to be pardoned too the protests began.

Typical Taksin letting others suffer for him... even using his sister.

[Mr Yim]

It will be nice to see these politically motivated criminals rotting in prison with Suthep, the mad monk, the pop corn gunman etc. Oh wait, I forgot, the Yellow's get off scott free. No need for an amnesty bill for the likes of them, the judiciary will see that they are never convicted. But of course the military junta are completely impartial - at least that's what Thailands great saviour keeps on telling everyone.

Have a good weekend guys.

Th'e yellow's didnt ge't of'f sco't fre'e.

Get an life education.

Looks like someone has just completed a TEFL course.

If you have nothing better to do than correcting puntuation mistakes, then it is pretty clear who needs to get a life.